Public Wood Workshop? (Chicago, Lincoln, Washington: apartment, to rent, high school)

[weizilla]

I just graduated and moved in to a small apartment in Lincoln Park. One of the (many) things I miss about college (and high school) is having access to a wood workshop. I really want to pick up woodworking as a hobby but since I can't really start adding band saws and table saws to my living room, does anyone have any ideas where I can go to do this? Are there public wood workshops or anything like that? I just moved to Chicago a month so I'm still exploring the city

[JanuaryGirl]

Maybe you could check at local colleges or community colleges that have woodworking classes. They may be able to rent studio/work space to you for a reasonable rate.

[Avengerfire]

"Woodcraft – Ages: 18 & Over
Restrictions: Participants must provide their own materials/supplies
Lincoln Park Cultural Center
2045 N. Lincoln Park West
60614 (Map It)
Phone: 312.742.7726
M,T,W,Th,6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
F,4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
9/22/2008 - 12/7/2008
Base Fee: $45.00
Total Fee: $45.00
Gender: Co-Rec
Skill Level: Open to All
Activity Code: 91002"

http://programs.chicagoparkdistrict.com/programBrowser/#01117830000000000 (broken link)

[weizilla]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

"Woodcraft – Ages: 18 & Over
Restrictions: Participants must provide their own materials/supplies
Lincoln Park Cultural Center
2045 N. Lincoln Park West
60614 (Map It)
Phone: 312.742.7726
M,T,W,Th,6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
F,4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
9/22/2008 - 12/7/2008
Base Fee: $45.00
Total Fee: $45.00
Gender: Co-Rec
Skill Level: Open to All
Activity Code: 91002"

CPD Program Browser (http://programs.chicagoparkdistrict.com/programBrowser/#01117830000000000 - broken link)

Thanks!!! That's even better than my original plan of learning by trial and error and it's only a block away from my apt! Unfortunately, it seems like it's full already so it looks like I'll have to wait for the winter/spring session.

Also, I was able to find this blog page with links to all of the other parks in the area if anyone else reading this is interested: House in Progress Diary: Secret Wood Shops in Chicago: Map

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by weizilla

...Unfortunately, it seems like it's full already so it looks like I'll have to wait for the winter/spring session...[/url]

You still might be able to get in. Call them. There are a couple other parks that have Woodworking also, but they are a few miles away from where you live.

[aragx6]

I have no idea why I remember this but I was in Earwax in WP last weekend and there was a poster near the door for a woodworking class.

[weizilla]

So I looked into this and it turned out that were still plenty of slots available even though the online thing said it was full. It's not an instructional class, more of a open wood shop where you can go and just use all the tools. Nevertheless, I'm really excited about this because it's $45 for 3 hours of open shop, 5 days a week for 2 and 1/2 month. Big thanks to Avengerfire for finding this and I love Chicago!

[Avengerfire]

I hope you have fun. I worked with wood a lot as a kid and teenager at a Park District Program at Portage Park. In fact, I was at the park to go to my session the day Harold Washington died. The cancelled our session. Most city services shut down...

[jsaunder]

Check these guys out: [url=http://rebuildingexchange.org/workshops]Rebuilding Exchange • Workshops[/url]. They have workshops but I think once you've taken one or more classes you can also rent time to work on your own projects in their shop. It's amazing.

[Philip Ivarson]

Hi,

I saw your post. I'm need some help building some modern tables and chairs and saw your post. I have somewhat advanced skills and am willing to pay for some help. You could earn while you learn if you like. If interested please call Phil at 773-733-1123. I live in Lincoln Park.